Philippine catfish (Clarias batrachus)

Scientific name: Clarias batrachus Linnaeus, 1758

Philippine catfish (Clarias batrachus)

The Philippine catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows to about 47 cm (19 in). It is easy to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 475 L (125 US gal) and water at 10–28°C (50–82°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo.

Philippine catfish care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
47 cm (19 in)
Minimum tank
475 L (125 US gal)
Temperature
10–28°C (50–82°F)
Diet
Omnivore

Biology

Inhabits lowland streams, swamps, ponds, ditches, rice paddies, and pools left in low spots after rivers have been in flood. Usually confined to stagnant, muddy water. Found in medium to large-sized rivers, flooded fields and stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals. Undertakes lateral migrations from the Mekong mainstream, or other permanent water bodies, to flooded areas during the flood season and returns to the permanent water bodies at the onset of the dry season. Can live out of water for quite sometime and move short distances over land. Can walk and leave the water to migrate to other water bodies using its auxiliary breathing organs. The Lao use this fish as lap pa or ponne pa. Feeds on insect larvae, earthworms, shells, shrimps, small fish, aquatic p

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Clarias batrachus
Family
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
47.0
Common length
26.3
Depth range
1 m (3 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 1 - ? m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Java, Indonesia. Clarias aff. batrachus from Indochina and Clarias aff. batrachusfrom Sundaland have been misidentified as Clarias batrachus from Java. Introduced elsewhere. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7 (in aquarium); tm=1; Fec=2,300-13,400)

More catfish & plecos

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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